Federer to headline launch of 2026 Australian Open / Photo: WILLIAM WEST - AFP
-
Hawks guard Young poised to resume practice after knee sprain
-
Salah back in Liverpool fold as Arsenal grab last-gasp win
-
Raphinha extends Barca's Liga lead, Atletico bounce back
-
Glasgow comeback upends Toulouse on Dupont's first start since injury
-
Two own goals save Arsenal blushes against Wolves
-
'Quality' teens Ndjantou, Mbaye star as PSG beat Metz to go top
-
Trump vows revenge after troops in Syria killed in alleged IS ambush
-
Maresca bemoans 'worst 48 hours at Chelsea' after lack of support
-
Teenage pair Ndjantou, Mbaye star as PSG beat Metz to go top
-
Drone strike in southern Sudan kills 6 UN peacekeepers
-
Crime wave propels hard-right candidate toward Chilean presidency
-
Terrific Terrier backheel helps lift Leverkusen back to fourth
-
'Magic' Jalibert guides Bordeaux-Begles past Scarlets
-
Teenage pair Ndjantou and Mbaye star as PSG beat Metz to go top
-
Anglo-French star Jane Birkin gets name on bridge over Paris canal
-
US troops in Syria killed in alleged IS ambush
-
Jalibert masterclass guides Bordeaux-Begles past Scarlets
-
M23 marches on in east DR Congo as US vows action against Rwanda
-
Raphinha double stretches Barca's Liga lead in Osasuna win
-
Terrific Terrier returns Leverkusen to fourth
-
Colts activate 44-year-old Rivers for NFL game at Seattle
-
US troops in Syria killed in IS ambush attack
-
Liverpool's Slot says 'no issue to resolve' with Salah after outburst
-
'Stop the slaughter': French farmers block roads over cow disease cull
-
Stormers see off La Rochelle, Sale stun Clermont in Champions Cup
-
Maresca hails Palmer as Chelsea return to winning ways against Everton
-
Hungarian protesters demand Orban quits over abuse cases
-
Belarus frees protest leader Kolesnikova, Nobel winner Bialiatski
-
Salah sets up goal on return to Liverpool action
-
Palmer strikes as Chelsea return to winning ways against Everton
-
Pogacar targets Tour de France Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo in 2026
-
Salah back in action for Liverpool after outburst
-
Atletico recover Liga momentum with battling win over Valencia
-
Meillard leads 'perfect' Swiss sweep in Val d'Isere giant slalom
-
Salah on Liverpool bench for Brighton match
-
Meillard leads Swiss sweep in Val d'Isere giant slalom
-
Indonesia flood death toll passes 1,000 as authorities ramp up aid
-
Cambodia shuts Thailand border crossings over deadly fighting
-
First urban cable car unveiled outside Paris
-
Vonn second behind Aicher in World Cup downhill at St Moritz
-
Aicher pips Vonn to downhill win at St Moritz
-
Thailand says 4 soldiers killed in Cambodia conflict, denies Trump truce claim
-
Fans vandalise India stadium after Messi's abrupt exit
-
Women sommeliers are cracking male-dominated wine world open
-
Exhibition of Franco-Chinese print master Zao Wou-Ki opens in Hong Kong
-
Myanmar junta denies killing civilians in hospital strike
-
Why SpaceX IPO plan is generating so much buzz
-
Thailand continues Cambodia strikes despite Trump truce calls
-
US envoy to meet Zelensky, Europe leaders in Berlin this weekend
-
North Korea acknowledges its troops cleared mines for Russia
NYSE - LSE
Federer to headline launch of 2026 Australian Open
Roger Federer will return to the scene of some of his greatest triumphs in January when he headlines a "Battle of the World No.1s" to officially launch the 2026 Australian Open, organisers said Friday.
The Swiss great will be back on Rod Laver Arena for the first time since he retired in 2022 as the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park introduces an inaugural "opening ceremony".
Held on the evening before the tournament starts on January 18, it will include a tribute to Federer, who won the Norman Brookes trophy six times among his 20 major titles.
He will also join four-time Australian Open winner Andre Agassi and Australians Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt for a star-studded match.
"It feels like a lifetime ago that I coined the phrase the 'Happy Slam' for the Australian Open, and it still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I've had there," Federer said.
"I've experienced so many emotions on Rod Laver Arena -- the joy of lifting 'Norman' six times, the honour of playing in front of Rod Laver himself.
"The challenge of competing against my biggest rivals, and always the overwhelming love and support of the Australian fans.
"Coming back to win the AO in 2017 is one of my most treasured Grand Slam memories and backing it up to win in 2018 was another dream come true in Melbourne."
Federer also won the tournament in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010.
J.Saleh--SF-PST